Energized ophthalmic lens

Abstract

This invention discloses methods and apparatus for providing a an ophthalmic lens with an energy source capable of powering an electrical component incorporated into the lens.

1 . An energized ophthalmic lens device comprising:
 a lens with an optical zone and a non-optical zone comprising a silicon hydrogel material;   an energy source embedded in the silicon hydrogel material in an area of the lens comprising the non-optical zone;   an electrical current drawing component; and   an attachment area connecting the energy source to the current drawing component.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1  additionally comprising a reenergizing component. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 2  wherein the reenergizing component comprises at least one of: a photoelectric device; a radio frequency absorbing device; an inductive energy coupling device; a capacitive energy coupling device; a thermoelectric device and a piezeoelectric device. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the current drawing component is embedded in the non-optical zone. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1  where the lens body comprises at least one of: etafilcon, senofilcon, galyfilcon and narafilcon. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 2  wherein the reenergizing component directly provides energy to reenergize the energy source. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 2  wherein the reenergizing component provides energy that is modified by an energy characteristic altering device to reenergize the energy source. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 2  wherein an reenergizing device comprises a photoelectric device and includes an external light source. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the energy source comprises a battery. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 9  wherein the battery is rechargeable. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 9  wherein the battery is a single use battery. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the energy source comprises at least one of: a fuel cell; a capacitor; a piezoelectric device; and a photoelectric device. 
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 9  wherein the battery is encapsulated. 
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 9  wherein the battery is shaped into the general form of an ophthalmic lens. 
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 9  wherein the battery is shaped into a full annular shape. 
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 9  wherein the battery is shaped into a partial annular shape. 
     
     
         17 . The device of  claim 9  wherein the battery is less than 500 microns thick. 
     
     
         18 . The device of  claim 9  wherein the battery is shaped to allow oxygen permeation around its perimeter. 
     
     
         19 . The device of  claim 1  additionally comprising a cosmetic component. 
     
     
         20 . The device of  claim 3  wherein the energy source comprises a semiconductor material. 
     
     
         21 . The device of  claim 3  wherein the energy source comprises constituents that have been printed.